Military News

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

11/24/2014 - COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- One flight surgeon has taken the next step to become the 14th Pilot-Physician in the United States Air Force.

Capt. William Smith, 14th Flying Training Wing Specialized Undergraduate
Pilot Training Class 15-02 student, became the first pilot to earn his
silver wings in the new pilot-physician selection process during a
graduation ceremony Nov. 21 at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

The path to becoming a pilot-physician in the United States Air Force
can be daunting. Required are the silver wings of an Air Force pilot,
one operational tour as a pilot, and to be a licensed physician with at
least one year as a flight surgeon.

Attending the graduation was special guest Col. Bill Mueller, Director
of the USAF Pilot-Physician Program. Mueller is also one of 14
pilot-physicians in the entire Air Force.

While pilot-physicians have the same day-to-day flight schedules as
regular pilots, they are able to see the mission with two sets of
expertise.

"The pilot-physician program allows the Air Force to leverage the dual
expertise that we get from officers with experience in two very
specialized areas and to help see connections between operations and
human capabilities," Mueller said. "These officers have a depth and
breadth of knowledge that enables the Air Force to solve complex
problems involving humans and ensure mission success."

The program, though small, is open to many, including pilots who are
already rated, medical officers who are flight surgeons and civilians
with either of the two certifications and a desire to serve. By using
the chain of command, those wishing to be considered can communicate
with Mueller and submit a package for consideration of acceptance.

"You have to have tenacity," Mueller said. "You can't just pick up the
phone and expect to get the ball rolling with just one phone call. A
person who wants to pursue this field has to be really tenacious and
make this a goal they strive for."

Mueller came to congratulate and welcome Smith into an elite career field combining two very specialized jobs.

"I always wanted to be a flight surgeon and to be involved in
operational medicine, but I had never thought of being a pilot-physician
until I got to Tyndall Air Force Base as a flight surgeon," Smith said.

It was only after hearing about one pilot-physician's story did he decide to pursue this unique career path.

"When I was in Tyndall, Lt. Col. Jay Flottmann was flying F-22s and he
encouraged me to apply once they started allowing flight surgeons to
apply to UPT," Smith said. "With his involvement in the F-22 hypoxia
problem, I saw the benefit of having an aeromedical expert in the
cockpit and that is what drove me to go the pilot-physician route."

Mueller was able to reflect on the F-22 problem as well and pinpoint why
Flottmann was the ideal officer to help solve in this challenge.

"Colonel Flottmann was able to put the problem into terms that pilots,
doctors, congressional and Air Force leaders could understand because he
carried such great credibility and experience in two specialized
areas," Mueller said. "This ultimately helped reassure the Air Force
that the F-22 was ready to return to flight."

One area that greatly benefits from pilot-physician expertise is Human Systems Integration, or HSI.

"Whether they are in a bomber, a fighter or a transport tanker, HSI
helps commanders understand where the human fits in and how to help
ensure that what these Airmen uniquely bring to the equation is going to
be effective and optimized," Mueller said. "HSI helps the Air Force
better utilize Airmen to power the Air Force mission."

Another area in which pilot-physicians are able to gather useful
information is Human Performance. Mueller said Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W.
Travis, Surgeon General of the Air Force and a pilot-physician, stresses
the importance of Human Performance in accomplishing the Air Force's
mission.

"Human Performance is when you optimize Airmen's health in the context
of performing the mission. Maximizing Human Performance increases
combat capability," Mueller said. "It helps us fly, fight and win in
air, space and cyberspace."

With a more streamlined process, the Air Force hopes to generate more bright minds for this vital role.

"We hope to grow the program to between 24 and 28 pilot-physician
positions in the Air Force," Mueller said. "We believe the pipeline to
select flight surgeons to attend UPT will help us reach this goal."

11/20/2014 - BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE - East Granby, Conn. -- Civilian
employers from around the state gathered to participate in an Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve "bosslift" at Bradley Air National
Guard Base, Connecticut, arriving early on Oct. 28th, 2014.

The day started with coffee and donuts followed by a briefing from Col.
Fred Miclon, vice commander of the 103rd Airlift Wing, about the mission
of the Flying Yankees and then by the Connecticut ESGR committee about
the importance of civilian employers to the ANG.

"I just wanted to say thank you," said Ted Graziani, state chair for the
Connecticut ESGR committee. "Each and every one of you puts in the time
and effort to abide by USERRA and it really shows through your
commitment to your military employees."

USERRA, also known as the uniformed services employment and reemployment
rights act, is a federal law that outlines rights and responsibilities
for both military members and employers regarding employment and being
called up to serve in a military capacity.

Following the briefing, the group was escorted to the hangar where they
got an up close and personal look at one of the recently acquired C-130H
Hercules aircraft. The tour included sitting at the controls of the
aircraft and walk through the cargo area.

Available throughout the C130H were Airmen to answer any question from the group.

The group was then transported to the Army Aviation Support Facility,
home of the 169th Aviation Regiment to experience the Army side of the
Connecticut National Guard.

Upon arrival the group was briefed by Sgt. Major Tony Savino on the
daily operations of the Army Guard. The group received tours of the
CH-47 Chinook, and the UH-60 Blackhawk. Again, the civilian employers
got a chance to sit at the controls of these aircraft and ask any
questions they may have had.

Following the tours, participants were treated to a real military
experience when each member of the group was given a meal ready to eat
for lunch. MREs are prepackaged food intended for military personnel
working in the field.

Once the group was fed they made their way to the helipad where they
boarded a UH-60 Blackhawk piloted by Capt. Rick LaGrega, commander,
headquarters and headquarters company 1/169th Aviation Regiment, general
support aviation battalion and lifted to Southbridge airfield to
conduct a counter clockwise loop.

"As a Soldier and a company commander, I cannot emphasize enough how
vital the support of employers is to the Connecticut National Guard,"
said LaGrega

After the practice approach at Pittsfield Airfield; the Blackhawk flew
back to Bradley ANG to return the group to their parked vehicles.

"The bosslift experience was absolutely fantastic... my team from
UTAS-Danbury Defense Systems were extremely impressed with the tours,
presentations, and the history lesson," said David Imbrogno, general
manager of defense systems, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance
and space systems, United Technologies Corporation, aerospace systems.

ESGR regularly supports events like this for civilian employers with the
goal providing them with a better understanding and mutual respect of
military members and their obligations.

11/20/2014 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Operators
from the 116th Air Control Wing and the 138th Military Intelligence
Company took to the skies to provide real-time situational awareness to
F-16 Fighting Falcons, AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters and ground
forces during the Operation Carolina Thunder exercise.

The multi-state, multi-component, collective training exercise conducted
during the South Carolina National Guard drill weekend, involved more
than 650 participants from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and
Tennessee National Guard units.

Using the one-of-a-kind battle management, command and control,
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of the E-8C
Joint STARS, the Airmen and Soldiers provided targeting data and
intelligence for attack aviation, fighter attack and friendly maneuver
forces in the vicinity of the Savannah River Site near Augusta, Georgia.

The JSTARS crew from the Georgia Air National Guard welcomed aboard Army
Capt. Michelle Roberts, a deputy intelligence officer with the South
Carolina National Guard.

"Having Capt. Roberts aboard is a great asset to JSTARS," said Maj.
Kenneth Billings, mission crew commander with the 128th Airborne Command
and Control Squadron. "She is able to provide insight to what the
South Carolina National Guard needs from us."

"The ability to train with a liaison on the jet is a great asset because
they can speak from the perspective of their particular unit, and this
helps us fuse that with the way we do things and provide a better
product for our customer," said Billings.

During the flight, Roberts acted as the ground liaison officer
supporting military intelligence operations and got a chance to get her
hands on the equipment, learning first-hand the capabilities that JSTARS
brings to the fight.

"The incorporation of JSTARS is huge," said Roberts. "From an
intelligence perspective, JSTARS provides the overall common operation
picture from air to ground, and we can use that to relay where the enemy
threat actually is."

According to Billings, the biggest value of JSTARS that makes this
possible is because it is a manned platform versus being remotely
operated from a ground control station.

"Having operators onboard the actual aircraft allows us more flexibility in ever-changing operational environments," he said.

Training exercises like Operation Carolina Thunder are a step toward
strengthening relationships with different states and components that
exist in the National Guard and also showcase the full spectrum of
capabilities that JSTARS has to offer.

"I can see a lot of training and mission opportunities with JSTARS
coming from exercise Operation Carolina Thunder," said Roberts.

11/25/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Most
Airmen have probably heard the expression "there's strength in
numbers." Most Airmen have also probably heard of Comprehensive Airmen
Fitness. When it comes to building resiliency, the two are not
unrelated.

The four domains of CAF are mental, physical, social and spiritual
fitness, which enhance resilience in individuals, families and
communities.

In the social domain, "strength in numbers" is an underlying theme.
According to the Air Force's CAF program, it's important to develop and
maintain trusted, valued friendships that are personally fulfilling and
foster good communication, including exchange of ideas, views and
experiences.

Finding comfort in the company of others, especially in times of anxiety or need, is social fitness.

The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic
Brain Injury's Tips to Boost Resilience in service members Web page,
suggests that people who receive support from a group have a better a
chance of conquering bad health and may increase their sense of
well-being.

The DCoE points out Airmen express their social traits differently, but
when Airmen exhibit healthy social connections and behaviors, their
units thrive. The stronger the unit is socially, the more resilient it
will be.

It's important to have good relationships with family members, friends
and other service members. Nevertheless, leaders can also help build
social resiliency within their command by fostering a sense of
camaraderie, providing a clear understanding of the mission and
encouraging unit cohesion.

"What is most important is Airmen and leadership support those who may
be facing challenges," said Lt. Col. Mitzi Thomas-Lawson, Mental Health
Branch chief, Office of the Command Surgeon, Air Education and Training
Command. "There are many indicators to let someone know a co-worker,
friend, or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of mental illness or
substance abuse.

"If you notice anyone isolating him or herself, try to draw that
individual into group activities. And, above all, reach out if you or
someone you know may need someone to talk to," Thomas -Lawson said.

And as Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James specifies in an
Aug. 19, 2014, story on Air Force Link, "taking care of Airmen is one of
the Air Force's top priorities.

"CAF supports my main priority by ensuring all people and families
within our Air Force are taken care of by providing a great opportunity
for us to grow resiliently in our careers and our personal lives," James
said. CAF is a lifestyle and culture that focuses on making sound
choices while building a thriving Air Force."

The holiday season provides many opportunities to gather with others, to
laugh and bond, spend quality time with peers and family, and engage in
healthy activities. The DCoE's website adds that social activity helps
relieve stress, builds connections with others, and the uneasiness of
missing family and friends.

Whether on a deployment or at home, Airmen should make sure to spend
some of their downtime around others - even if it's something as simple
as playing a game of catch, getting involved in base and community
activities, playing music in a band or volunteering with a service
community program.

Just as Patrick Henry, one of America's founding father's famously said,
"United we stand, divided we fall." Airmen must band together to stay
socially fit.

11/20/2014 - BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Conn. -- A radome was raised and installed on the radar tower at the 103rd Air Control Squadron in Orange, Connecticut, Oct. 25.

The name radome is a blend of the words radar and dome, refering to the protective shield that encompasses a radar antenna.

"The ACS received the radome through the Small Business Innovation
Research Program," said Senior Master Sgt. Keith Haessly, mission
systems superintendent with the 103rd ACS. "SBIR is a highly
competitive program that encourages U.S. based small businesses to
engage in research and development with the potential for
commercialization."

It took from Oct. 6 to Oct. 24 to build the fiber composite radome, said
Master Sgt. Bruce Przygocki, NCOIC of ground radar systems maintenance.

The radome, built by the Ebert Composites Corporation out of San Diego,
CA, is 32 feet in diameter and 27 feet high. It is has 45 individual
panels and is held together with over 2,500 fasteners. A lightning
protection system composed of five lightning rods is affixed to the top
of the radome along with a warning light, said Przygocki.

"Ebert began work on this project in early 2010 by designing the
specialty material. In late 2012 they were awarded a contract to
fabricate a rigid radome prototype for installation at an existing radar
site," said Haessly. "The ACS was selected as the show-place location
in mid-2013 and design and construction began shortly thereafter."

The radome installation required three employees from the Ebert
Composites Corporation, nine Airmen from the ACS, and the assistance of
the Smedley Crane Company out of Branford, Conn. Although the
installation of the radome took significant coordination between two
civilian companies and the ACS, the successful project will result in
reduced labor for Airmen moving forward.

"We are now saving over 300 man-hours per year with the new radome installation," said Przygocki.

Located on the Connecticut shoreline, the site receives high winds and a
wide range of environmental conditions from extreme heat to bitter cold
and the snow and ice that goes with it, said Haessly. Being located in
close proximity to major industrial areas, the dome will be exposed to
dirt when blown in by weather. Fortunately the dome's material enables
it to repel dirt, mitigating a downside to more traditional domes.

Anytime there was a weather warning for high winds, we would have to
fold the antenna to protect it from possible wind damage. Now, we no
longer have to fold the antenna and we feel secure in knowing that the
$2 million antenna is being protected by a radome capable of
withstanding 140 mph winds, said Przygocki.

One outstanding feature about this particular radome is its completely maintenance free design.

"This is the first radome of its kind," said Przygocki. For the next 25-30 years, the radome requires no maintenance.

Now that we have the radome, we are able to focus entirely on our
mission instead of having to worry about changing weather conditions,
protecting the antenna, or even maintaining the radome itself, said
Przygocki.

11/20/2014 - BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE - East Granby, Conn. -- Civilian
employers from around the state gathered to participate in an Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve "bosslift" at Bradley Air National
Guard Base, Connecticut, arriving early on Oct. 28th, 2014.

The day started with coffee and donuts followed by a briefing from Col.
Fred Miclon, vice commander of the 103rd Airlift Wing, about the mission
of the Flying Yankees and then by the Connecticut ESGR committee about
the importance of civilian employers to the ANG.

"I just wanted to say thank you," said Ted Graziani, state chair for the
Connecticut ESGR committee. "Each and every one of you puts in the time
and effort to abide by USERRA and it really shows through your
commitment to your military employees."

USERRA, also known as the uniformed services employment and reemployment
rights act, is a federal law that outlines rights and responsibilities
for both military members and employers regarding employment and being
called up to serve in a military capacity.

Following the briefing, the group was escorted to the hangar where they
got an up close and personal look at one of the recently acquired C-130H
Hercules aircraft. The tour included sitting at the controls of the
aircraft and walk through the cargo area.

Available throughout the C130H were Airmen to answer any question from the group.

The group was then transported to the Army Aviation Support Facility,
home of the 169th Aviation Regiment to experience the Army side of the
Connecticut National Guard.

Upon arrival the group was briefed by Sgt. Major Tony Savino on the
daily operations of the Army Guard. The group received tours of the
CH-47 Chinook, and the UH-60 Blackhawk. Again, the civilian employers
got a chance to sit at the controls of these aircraft and ask any
questions they may have had.

Following the tours, participants were treated to a real military
experience when each member of the group was given a meal ready to eat
for lunch. MREs are prepackaged food intended for military personnel
working in the field.

Once the group was fed they made their way to the helipad where they
boarded a UH-60 Blackhawk piloted by Capt. Rick LaGrega, commander,
headquarters and headquarters company 1/169th Aviation Regiment, general
support aviation battalion and lifted to Southbridge airfield to
conduct a counter clockwise loop.

"As a Soldier and a company commander, I cannot emphasize enough how
vital the support of employers is to the Connecticut National Guard,"
said LaGrega

After the practice approach at Pittsfield Airfield; the Blackhawk flew
back to Bradley ANG to return the group to their parked vehicles.

"The bosslift experience was absolutely fantastic... my team from
UTAS-Danbury Defense Systems were extremely impressed with the tours,
presentations, and the history lesson," said David Imbrogno, general
manager of defense systems, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance
and space systems, United Technologies Corporation, aerospace systems.

ESGR regularly supports events like this for civilian employers with the
goal providing them with a better understanding and mutual respect of
military members and their obligations.

11/25/2014 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- From
dawn to dusk and late into the night hours, the roaring sounds of
fighter aircraft filled the skies of the Korean Peninsula, Nov. 14 to
22.

To sustain the largest flying exercise on the Korean Peninsula, Kunsan
AB adapted to meet the needs of multiple units who joined the Wolf Pack
from across the Pacific. As sorties were generated between five
different services using eight different airframes, the 8th Fighter Wing
proved its ability to rapidly establish mission capability and unity of
command in Exercise Max Thunder 14-2.

"For Max Thunder, my flight is the cornerstone of the tenet 'Accept
Follow-on Forces,'" said Capt. Melissa Jamison, 8th Force Support
Squadron sustainment services flight commander. "We worked tirelessly to
receive follow-on forces, provided them a place to rest and fed them in
order to keep their mission contributions in all capacities at the
highest effective rate."

A semi-annual joint training exercise, Max Thunder 14-2 brought more
than 1,000 personnel from various ROK Air Force units, the U.S. Army,
Marine Corps and Navy to Kunsan AB.

"We double-billeted nearly all of our rooms in the Wolf Pack Lodge,"
Jamison said. "We are the only lodging facility in the Air Force that
has two beds in standard rooms, as our lodging function was built with
contingency support in mind. In addition to the extended lodging
capacity, we were very grateful to have the participating sister
services bring cooks to bolster our kitchen operations. We had a total
of seven cooks from the Marines and the Navy. It was a very special
experience to look into the O'Malley Dining Facility and see the blend
of uniforms working together seamlessly. It was the very definition of a
joint operation."

For Master Sgt. Justin McDonald, 8th FSS customer support
superintendent, his role in contingency operations is the facilitator
and NCO in charge of the personnel processing unit.
McDonald said his role in Max Thunder and similar exercises encompasses total force accountability.

"We are just one piece in the process, but we work with more than seven
agencies to take care of everything from 'cradle to grave,'" he said.

From 8th FW Safety, to the Office of Special Investigations, and public
health - nearly every agency within the Wolf Pack played a role in
supporting additional units to ensure the success of the joint
large-force employment training.

"My role as a logistics planner is to organize the incoming forces of
Marines and Sailors," said Senior Airman Sarah McDermott, 8th Logistics
Readiness Squadron logistics planner. "This includes in-processing,
receiving their cargo, lodging and transportation - so we made sure to
get in contact with the necessary areas of the base; even down to making
sure a bus is ready to pick them up as soon as they step off that
plane."

Other agencies played a crucial role to ensure the efficient allocation of various aircraft and their crewmembers.

"There were over 80 aircraft that participated in Max Thunder with an
additional 22 support aircraft," said Tech. Sgt. Shateenie Stokes, 8th
Operations Support Squadron deputy airfield manager. "It was our
responsibility to guarantee adequate parking for the aircraft and a
facility for all maintenance personnel, as well as ensuring smooth
arrival and departures for all aircraft."

Kunsan AB is the only air base in the ROK where U.S. and ROKAF flying
units reside together, a trait that makes it ideal for an exercise like
Max Thunder. This partnership enables the U.S. to practice sharpening
their skills with their ROKAF allies not only for exercises, but on a
daily basis as well.

"We train together so the integration of troops is seamless during
actual combat," said 1st Lt. Kyle Deroner, 8th FSS readiness and plans
chief. "At the end of the day, it's one team, one fight, and we all need
to work together to accomplish the main objective."

11/25/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Forty-one
officers and enlisted members from active duty, Air Force Reserve and
the Air National Guard have been selected as KC-46 Pegasus initial
operational test and evaluation aircrew, Air Force Personnel Center
officials said Nov. 24.

The KC-46 is slated to enter the Air Force inventory, pending the
results of operational test and evaluation, in 2016. Developed by Boeing
in Mukilteo, Washington, the aircraft is set to replace the KC-135
Stratotanker, which has been actively employed since 1956.

"Test and evaluation aircrew will evaluate the tanker's capabilities
under all circumstances and situations to ensure that it meets all
operational mission requirements," said Maj. Broc Starrett, an official
with the AFPC Mobility Air Forces rated assignments section.

"This is a significant milestone in the careers of the pilots and boom
operators selected to test the new tanker," Starrett said. "Airmen
selected for test and evaluation positions must be the best in their
field, so selection for the program is very competitive. These
total-force Airmen will have significant impact on the future of the Air
Force mobility mission."

To see the selection list and for information about other personnel
issues, go to myPers. Select "search all components" from the drop down
menu and enter "KC-46 Initial Operational Test & Evaluation
(IOT&E) Aircrew Selection Board Results" in the search window.

11/25/2014 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The
315th Mission Support Group was awarded the Tech. Sgt. Anthony C.
Campbell Jr. Award during a ceremony Nov. 19 in Riverside, Calif. as the
best mission support group in the Fourth Air Force.

"Winning the Campbell Award is an awesome achievement, but the greatest
reward is watching a very diverse group of professionals pull together
every day and make the mission happen," said Col. James Hurley, 315 MSG
commander. "I am proud to be a member of the Best MSG Team in 4AF!"

Contributing to the group's accomplishments are its logistics readiness,
aerial port, security forces squadrons, airlift control flight and
explosive ordnance disposal team. Together they have deployed, provided
fueling support, moved cargo, protected assets, trained foreign
nationals, transported passengers, saved time and millions of dollars,
provided humanitarian support and one member even gave the gift of life
through the organ donor program.

"Chief Manning and I were honored to collect the Campbell Trophy at last
week's Raincross Awards Dinner on behalf of Col Hurley and the 315th
Mission Support Group. This speaks to the hard work and professionalism
of the entire 315th MSG and serves to honor the memory of this award's
namesake, TSgt Anthony C. Campbell, Jr.," said Col. Scott Sauter, 315th
Airlift Wing commander. "They, the 315 MSG, had an outstanding
year...best in 4th Air Force!"

The annual awards dinner is preceded by a commander's workshop and is
attended by commanders and command chiefs from each of the 15 flying
wings, one flying group and one regional support group under the
numbered air force's umbrella.

(Linda Welz, 452nd Air Mobility Wing public affairs, contributed to this story)

“The secretary is going to stay at the job and stay at work
and continue to do the things that he has been doing the last two years,” Kirby
told reporters during a news briefing.

In Hagel’s time at the department he’s launched more than a
dozen reforms, the admiral said, noting that many of those reforms have been
implemented and some -- including a military justice system review and efforts
to reduce military sexual assaults -- are still being worked through.

“He's very much focused on implementing the recommendations
and changes that he has accepted from the reforms that we put in place ...
[and] also working with the groups that he has working on other reform
initiatives he has out there,” Kirby said.

The defense secretary will continue to emphasize the three
priorities he outlined in a speech in Chicago in May: people, capabilities and
partnerships, the press secretary said.

“It's very much for him about, you know, continuing to keep
-- to keep his foot on the pedal and moving forward,” he said.

Of particular importance is continuing to develop the U.S.
relationship with Asian-Pacific nations, Kirby said. Hagel was forced to
postpone a planned trip to the region due to scheduling conflicts. But, the
press secretary said, the department and Hagel are committed to the rebalance.

“The secretary has made six trips to the region since he's
been secretary ... He has been very, very much a point man on the Asia-Pacific
rebalance, securing important agreements with many countries over there for
increased U.S. rotational presence,” the admiral said.